India’s indigenously developed handheld anti-drone gun, Vajra Shot, attracted significant attention at Swavlamban 2024, the Indian Navy’s Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) seminar, held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi examined the India-made Vajra Shot, which is designed by Big Bang Boom Solutions and boasts a range of up to four kilometers. This versatile gun, deployed in the Indian Army and Air Force, can detect and jam drone signals, disrupting communication between drones and their operators. Company representative Ravi Kumar highlighted its success, saying, “We have received orders worth around $25 million (over Rs 200 crore) so far,” underscoring its utility and demand in India’s armed forces.
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#WATCH | Delhi: Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi inaugurates 'Swavlamban 2024' at Bharat Mandapam pic.twitter.com/dfEfDDlLeL
— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2024
In addition to its range, the Vajra Shot is notable for its lightweight, soldier-friendly design, equipped to adapt its output frequency dynamically, unlike traditional fixed-frequency jammers. This adaptability enhances its functionality, making it a critical tool in India’s expanding anti-drone arsenal amid rising security concerns.
Admiral Tripathi, inaugurating the Swavlamban 2024 exhibition, expressed enthusiasm about India’s defence innovations, acknowledging the participation of approximately 115 stalls from diverse defence entities, including DRDO, the Indian Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, and BSF. “It has been a wonderful experience to witness what is on display, what our young entrepreneurs are doing, and what is possible in the future,” Admiral Tripathi remarked, noting the robust industry collaboration on display at the event.
Growing Drone Threats and Countermeasures
In the broader context, drones have transformed warfare dynamics globally. Former U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor Nadia Schadlow commented on this shift, noting that “the space between war and peace…is a landscape churning with political, economic, and security competitions.” The rapid advancement of autonomous drone technology, seen in recent global conflicts, highlights the urgent need for effective counter-drone systems like Vajra Shot.
Defence expert Sameer Joshi noted, “The use of drones indicates a doctrinal shift…robots are here to play an important role,” predicting that 10-15% of future forces will incorporate robotic elements. Lt General Sunil Srivastava (retired) advocated for counter-drone solutions, emphasizing cost-effective measures such as electronic jammers, laser-based systems like Israel’s Iron Beam, and physical nets as effective strategies.
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India’s focus on self-reliant defence capabilities, exemplified by Vajra Shot, represents a vital step towards securing its airspace from emerging drone threats while fostering homegrown technological advancements in defence.